A never-before-seen letter from a Titanic passenger in which he expressed his regret that his wife and daughter were not with him has surfaced.

Alfons Simonius-Blumer wrote a remarkable account of life on board the luxury liner as the doomed ship sailed on her maiden voyage 105 years ago.

His four page letter home to his wife gives a fascinating insight into what first class passengers got up to during their days.

A letter written aboard the Titanic shortly before it sank is to be sold at an auction in Wiltshere. Banker, Alfons Simonius-Blumer wrote the letter to his wife and daughter detailing his opulent trip

The Swiss banker described visiting the ship's gymnasium and riding the electric horse and camel machines for exercise, going to the Turkish baths and smoking room and dining with friends in the evening.

He wrote how the brand new ship was so quiet it was 'as good as the best hotel' and despite strong gusts, did not heel or tilt over one bit.

Mr Simonius-Blumer was sailing to New York on business with his colleague Dr Max Staehelin and was without his wife, Alice, and their daughter, Ella, much to his regret.

But their decision to remain at at home in Switzerland could well have saved their lives as three days after the letter was written Titanic struck an iceberg and sank with the loss of 1,522 lives.

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The four page letter was written on Titanic-headed notepaper at 10am on April 11, 1912 while the ship sailed between Cherbourg in France and Queenstown, Ireland.

The Irish port was the last stop-off for the liner before it crossed the Atlantic. It was the last chance passengers and crew had to post letters while on-board.

One of those was 56-year-old Mr Simonius-Blumer and his letter was stamped 'Queenstown.'

The 'exceptional' letter is now expected to sell for £22,000 at auction.

The Swiss banker described visiting the ship's gymnasium and riding the electric horse and camel machines for exercise, going to the Turkish baths and smoking room and dining with friends in the evening

Mr Simonius-Blumer survived the tragedy. As a first class passenger he was able to access a lifeboat and was rescued at 6am on April 15 by the ship the Carpathia.

Andrew Aldridge, of auctioneers Henry Aldridge and Son of Devizes, Wiltshere said: 'This is an exceptional letter and the content of it is truly exceptional.

'It offers the reader a snapshot into the lives of those passengers and crew aboard the ship.

'It is also in its original envelope which is unusual for Titanic letters and most recipients threw them away.

'It is also in superb and near-mint condition, which is quite something given it is over 100 years old.'

The four page letter was written on Titanic-headed notepaper at 10am on April 11, 1912 while the ship sailed between Cherbourg in France and Queenstown, Ireland

In his letter home, the former Swiss army colonel, described of how he bumped into friends and compatriots Maximilian Frohlicher, his wife Margaretha and daughter Hedwig on board.

He wrote: 'Dr. Staehelin and the Frohlicher family send friendly greetings and the only regret of the latter is that you and Ella are not on the ship.'

He added: 'Last night I slept wonderfully from half past 10 to 7 o'clock this morning and I've ridden the horse and camel. They have left me shaken up and this afternoon I think I will take a Turkish bath.

'Although the wind is blowing strongly, the ship is not heeling over one bit, and I certainly think that not even you would get seasick because everywhere the air is excellent.

'It is really as good as the best hotel.

On the evening Titanic struck the iceberg Mr Simonius-Blumer had been playing cards in the smoking room until 11pm. He was in his stateroom at the time of the collision

'Here in the smoking room you can feel the propellers working, while in my cabin it is as quiet as in my room at home.

'In an hour we shall be in Queenstown. After that the real journey across the ocean begins.'

On the evening Titanic struck the iceberg Mr Simonius-Blumer had been playing cards in the smoking room until 11pm. He was in his stateroom at the time of the collision.

He entered lifeboat three at 12.50am with Dr Staehelin. The ship sank at 2.20am.